Sourcing Solid Perfumes from China
Solid perfumes from China under the perfume line carry 0% UK duty. Before sale in Great Britain, they need a UK Responsible Person, a product information file with a cosmetic safety report, notification and compliant labels. Specify the wax base, scent and heat stability before approving production. Cambridge China Bridge sources solid perfumes.
UK duty on solid perfumes
Heading 3303 covers perfumes and toilet waters. For solid perfumes intended to scent the skin, the relevant starting point is the perfume line, 3303 00 10 00. The table shows packaging formats under that same line, rather than separate tariff classifications. See the perfume and fragrances guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 2 November 2026, the supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures and no suspensions listed. The tariff attaches an export control of mercury. Confirm its relevance to the proposed China import with your customs broker. Official mercury-product guidance concerns products with intentionally added mercury or mercury compounds.
Confirm the commodity code using the actual formula, intended use and presentation. A scented skin-care balm should not be classified solely because its supplier calls it solid perfume. Import VAT is 20%; the duty and VAT guide explains the calculation.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid perfume in tins | 3303 00 10 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the wax base, scent and container
Agree the full formula, fragrance concentration, wax and oil base, colour, fill weight and container. Describe the required firmness, finger pickup, spread and residue against an approved sample. For sticks, approve the twist mechanism and how the product holds together during application. For refills, approve their fit in the intended compact.
Ask for stability and packaging compatibility work using the actual filled pack. Agree checks after warm storage and temperature cycling, including oil separation, graininess, shrinkage, scent change and leakage. Require approval before changes to the fragrance oil, wax blend or container lining.
Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person, a product information file containing the cosmetic safety report, assessment by a qualified assessor and product notification. Obtain the full quantitative formula for the assessment. Labels need the applicable ingredient, allergen, durability, batch, function, warning and Responsible Person information. Settle the artwork before printing.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 3,000 tins of solid perfume under 3303 00 10 00, invoiced at £26,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £29,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £29,000, so it is £5,800. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Formula and scent: compare the batch with the sealed approved sample; match the production formula and fragrance concentration to the safety documentation.
Texture and fill: check sampled net weights, surface finish, graininess, oil separation, firmness and application against the agreed specification.
Pack function: check lid retention, hinges, stick mechanisms and refill fit; inspect liners, sharp edges, leakage and damage after the agreed handling checks.
Labels and traceability: compare ingredient and allergen text, warnings, durability information and Responsible Person details with approved artwork; match batch codes to production records.
Working out your own order? Send us the product on WhatsApp and we reply the same working day: WhatsApp us
What goes wrong
A sample can smell right while the production batch becomes gritty, sweats oil or softens in warm storage. Wax changes can alter pickup and scent release. Shrinkage can leave the perfume loose in its container, while fragrance oils can affect a lining or plastic component. Compare filled production packs with retained samples after the agreed stability checks.
A supplier's ingredient list is insufficient for a safety assessment based on the full formula. Resolve disclosure to the assessor before ordering. Keep arriving stock apart while checking batch identity, texture, pack condition and labels. Record faults by batch and use quality inspection to agree corrective action with the factory.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on solid perfume from China?
The supplied tariff read shows 0% duty under perfume code 3303 00 10 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures or suspensions listed. Confirm classification for the actual product.
Can I sell imported solid perfume without a safety report?
No. Before sale in Great Britain, arrange a UK Responsible Person, a product information file with a cosmetic safety report, a qualified safety assessment, notification and compliant labels.
What should I ask a solid perfume factory for?
Ask for the full quantitative formula for your assessor, fragrance allergen information, batch records and filled-pack stability evidence. Agree texture, scent, fill weight and packaging against retained samples.
How do I check whether solid perfume will melt?
Agree warm-storage and temperature-cycling checks for the actual filled pack. Inspect softening, oil separation, leakage and texture after cooling, then compare with the approved sample.